World Cup
Belgium’s World Cup hopes hinge on Amadou Onana’s knee brace
The celebrations were cut short when Amadou Onana (24) crumpled to the turf. The Belgium midfielder lasted just 20 minutes before being forced off with a heavy fall that twisted his knee.
He returned to the bench briefly, then retreated to the dressing room, his leg secured in a rigid brace and supported by crutches. The sight was unmistakably grim.
Rudi Garcia did not mince words. “It is serious,” the coach said. “We are still awaiting further tests. But it is not good news. For him and for the rest of our World Cup.”
Onana later reappeared on the sidelines, watching the remainder of the match with his teammates. He addressed the squad at halftime, delivering what Nicolas Raskin described as “a heartfelt message.”
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“We played today for him,” Raskin said. “The Balogun situation gave us extra motivation. It all felt unfair.” Anchorman Youri Tielemans spoke for the group. “Our thoughts are with him,” the captain said. “We hope he can stay with us.” Teammates wore Onana’s shirt in tribute after the 1-4 victory. The midfielder joined the post-match celebrations, though his smile carried the weight of visible disappointment. He sought comfort with family in the stands, his future for the tournament now hanging in the balance. Whether Onana will feature again in this World Cup remains to be seen.